Highly rated Rangers midfielder Paul Nsio has agreed a season-long loan move to St Mirren, but the youngster will not sign a new contract at Ibrox before completing the switch.
Transfer insider Peter O'Rourke has claimed that the 20-year-old has agreed to join the Paisley club on loan, adding that suggestions a new Rangers deal would be signed before the move are incorrect.
The decision represents another important step in Nsio's development after an outstanding campaign on loan at Raith Rovers last season.
Impressive loan spell earned wider attention
Nsio emerged as one of the Championship's standout young midfielders during his time at Stark's Park, helping Raith Rovers lift the Scottish Challenge Cup while collecting four awards at the club's end-of-season Player of the Year ceremony.
His performances prompted manager Dougie Imrie to publicly express his desire to bring the Rangers youngster back for another season.
"Yeah, I would like to get him back," Imrie said.
"It'll be up to Rangers to see the progression for Paul.
"But I think with his age and just having really six months of men's football, I think the ideal scenario would be for him to come back here and maybe get another 40 games under his belt.
"Hopefully we can get something done for Paul because the last three months he's been outstanding."
Instead, Rangers have opted for a different pathway, with St Mirren now set to provide the midfielder with his first taste of Scottish Premiership football.
Rangers continue measured development
Nsio joined Rangers from Lambeth Tigers in 2022 and has long been regarded as one of the club's brightest academy prospects.
He made his senior debut under Giovanni van Bronckhorst before featuring regularly for Rangers B and earning involvement with the first-team squad in European competition under Philippe Clement.
Speaking during his loan spell last season, the midfielder revealed that team-mates had compared his style of play to former France international Paul Pogba.
"My team-mates often say I have a similar style of play to Paul Pogba," Nsio said.
"I like to express myself on the pitch, score goals and create assists."
New challenge awaits
A move to St Mirren would provide Nsio with the opportunity to test himself consistently at Premiership level, representing another significant step in his progression towards Rangers' first team.
The decision not to agree a new contract before the loan may raise questions over his longer-term future at Ibrox, but Rangers will still hope regular top-flight football accelerates the development of one of the academy's most promising midfielders.
With Derek McInnes continuing to reshape his squad while placing an emphasis on youth development, the coming season could prove pivotal for Nsio as he looks to demonstrate he can eventually establish himself in Rangers' senior side.
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